A little about life.

I’ve never been someone who writes. I’ve always wanted to be. I can’t tell you how many journals I’ve started in my life. but, I always stop. I don’t show many photos of myself here either. (Above) There’s me. There’s Pepper. (And Eric, Sorry his cute face got cut off a bit. We aren’t the best at family selfies.) She’s my reason. My reason for everything these days. Even though I wanted to start a blog for many, many years before her. I didn’t actually take the leap until after having her. About a week after we brought her home from the hospital. In a sleepy state, I remember saying to Eric, “You know babe, if I ever do start a blog… how perfect would the name Daily Dose of Pepper be? you know because It’s our babies name… and It’s pepper which is a spice that is used in everything that I cook… basically” Exactly one month later on MY birthday. July 11th. I was gifted this domain name along with a hosting service. Honestly, It was the sweetest gift ever…. also the most overwhelming gift ever. Mostly because I’ve been following certain blogs for years. Mostly, The Pioneer Woman. She’s basically my idol in every way right down to the cowboy boots she wears on her feet. I quite literally “stumbled upon” her blog when it was just a baby when I was about 19 years old. I was hooked… and If you knew me when I was 19, you’d be shocked that I loved her as much I did. She was amazing from the very start. She will probably never know who I am, but if you ever see her, tell her I love her. haha

Back to why I felt like this was the most overwhelming gift ever. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that I don’t think many of you reading this are bloggers, but if you are, say hi! and comment your blog link. I’d love to see it. I remember the first day I opened up the hosting service site and it may as well have been Japanese. Seriously. I had a baby who needed my attention at almost every single moment, cluster feeding around the clock, and I was also suffering from Postpartum Depression. Not to mention, I was a new mom and in general, I had no idea what in the heck I was doing. Needless to say, I shut the computer and I didn’t open it again for about 6 months. I also live in the stone age and I had no idea how to even use my Macbook. I still don’t really. I honestly had no idea where to even start and no time to even try. That’s where Eric comes in. (My knight in shining armor…or my sweet farmer/aspiring computer nerd) He knew it was quite literally hurting me that I wasn’t able to start this gift that he was giving me. So HE did all of the research. He learned all of the language. and HE got me started. To this day he still edits most of my posts when he has time because well, let’s just say I’ll never win an award for grammar. I’m also the queen of run-on-sentences. Because this is a more personal post, I won’t even ask him to edit this one. So don’t hate me for my grammar. please.

This post is just a little insight into my journey as a newbie blogger. I was very lucky to already be apart of an amazing community of people on Instagram who cheered and supported me when I decided to start publishing recipes. To this day, they still cheer me on. I’m forever grateful for them!

I honestly don’t know if I would still be doing this if not for them. I remember looking at my stats when I first started and I would be like Oh MY GOSH! 12 people just viewed my biscuits and gravy bake!.. as the months have gone by…. that number has become so so so much bigger and I still can’t believe it some days.

The work I put into this blog is all love. I just recently decided to start putting Ads onto the blog so that I would get a small amount back for all of the work I put into it. Trust me, it’s not a lot, but I don’t do this for the money. I do this because I absolutely love it. I have loved cooking since I can remember, but I realized I really loved cooking when I was about 16 years old. And then I met Eric, and I realized I really, really loved cooking. He’s been my biggest fan for so long and it still melts my heart every time he closes his eyes after a bite, shakes his head slightly, and sighs just a bit before saying the most simple, but perfect sentence, “Babe, this is good.”

… and this has happened almost every single time except for a incident with some lemon-thyme chicken that we don’t like to talk about.

but, trust me, I HAVE MISSES. so it breaks my little heart when he’s like, “Babe this isn’t good.” Normally, I already know when it isn’t good and I don’t even let him try it. But there’s been a couple times where I thought something was good and he’s just like no. and I’m like AHHHHH. What is LIFE?

Anyway, I really want to start writing a bit more on this thing here called a blog, besides just recipes. I know most people come here for the grub, and trust me that’s my heart and soul so that’s not going anywhere… but as the blog grows, I want to put a bit of a more personal touch into it. I love sharing bits and pieces of my life with those who love to hear about it. It’s not that exciting, but I kinda like it.

Here’s to a new era for Daily Dose of Pepper!

Lots O’ Love,

Star

P.S. Here’s one more photo of my sweet little babe. She was a little flapper girl from the roaring twenties for Halloween! Honestly, this is one of my proudest moments as a mom. I quite literally forgot Halloween was in basically two days. I found that little dress at a children’s consignment shop on October 29 at approximately 3:00 in the afternoon and by Sunday (the 30th) morning my mom and I had come up with this little outfit. My mom really added the perfect touch with little tights cut for her sleeves! If you are ever wondering where my creativity comes from…. you can thank my sweet Mama, she gave me the gift of life and then taught me how to use the left side of my brain. or is it the right? I can never remember that sort of stuff.

13 Comments

I enjoy your blog and the recipes you share.
I’m a teacher but I don’t look for mistakes in writing because the message you are freely sharing is more important (and because of the stupid spell check that is always messing us up.)

Hi Star! I can so relate! I just started my blog a few months ago. I am very comfortable with computers and love to figure out new things, but it was a daunting task for me as well. I use a service though and don’t do it all on my own, so that made it easier for me. I do stamping/crafting. Grammatically, I do okay, but I too have a problem with run-on sentences. I never aspired to be a writer, I just really enjoy putzing around on the computer.

I’ve had a difficult time personalizing my blog as well, both in my design and in my posts. My Upline through the company has encouraged me to “put more of me” out there. I’m a pretty public person on FB and such, but it’s hard doing it completely out in the open and not having any control over who sees your stuff, it kind of makes one feel exposed. 😮

Good luck in this adventure! I, for one, am happy you decided to do this. I appreciate it so much! Maybe I’ll actually learn to cook and find something that hubby likes to eat too!

Keep up the good work-of all the blogs I go to for a recipe, yours is the one I go to most often. I’m a WW trying to eat healthy and simple and you fit the bill with your delicious recipes. Also a farmer in central Illinois, I like to hear about your family’s adventures. Thank you Star!!

This is the first post I’ve read of yours. And what perfect timing! I MET Ree yesterday (still can’t believe it). My husband drove us the 7+ hours just to eat at The Merc. Since I just *met* you and also found you on Insta (I’m ashleyslott over there) I just wanted to say HI! Pepper is adorable and I can’t wait to try some of your recipes! And PW is just as amazing/sweet in person.

I’d just like to tell you how jealous I am! I’ve wanted to meet her for the better half of 8 years now! I just love her entirely and from the pictures I’ve seen, all I want to do is actually live in the merc!!! I almost thought of applying to work there… but I couldn’t just up and move my family to small town, OK. haha! My best friend and I are planning a trip down that way in the spring of next year! … I think its about a 10 hour drive from here. I’m bursting at the seams to go! Oh and welcome! I hope you enjoy my recipes and rambling.

Ha! I would move there and work too! My husband would never go for it. There is literally nothing in Pawhauska except for The Merc! It was a seven and a half hour drive for us but totally worth it. I hope you get to go there soon.

So proud of you my little girl. You have taken your dream and made it a reality. Something not many people get to do in life. I believe I am your number 1 supporter and love being the taste tester too. As for being a mom…. Pepper is a testimony to your sweetness.